Disclosure: I was asked to participate in the Dozen Days of Nog, a consumer campaign for Safest Choice Pasteurized Eggs. I was compensated for writing this post. Opinions are my own.

The holidays are upon us and you can taste the wonder and joy in everyday foods from coffee to sports bars. Today, my post is for any fitness enthusiast whose heart beats a little faster when I say, EggNog! Because of people like you, this beverage, synonymous with Christmas, has stood the test of time. First fashioned in Britian, eggnog has traveled the world, and wherever it goes, people tend to make it their own. In this spirit, I’m putting my very own twist on this longstanding tradition.

Last week I started whipping up these quick and delicious eggnog smoothies to get myself in the holiday spirit, to refuel, rehydrate, and recover after my

distance runs and strength training. They make an egg-cellent (pun intended) way to replace both fluid and elctrolytes lost during exercise. Each serving provides me with high quality protein important to preserve lean muscle mass and even stimulate new muscle growth, and supplies carbohydrates necesary to get ready for tomorrow’s workout. Timing this smoothie after a bout of exercise takes advantage of the anabolic window, but it would also make a first string to-go breakfast and is fitting anytime you want to toast to good health!

I love dairy and the natural sweetness of Medjool dates, but the real hero of this eggnog smoothie is …

SafeEggs Pasteurized Eggs makes consumption of raw eggs safe by eliminating any risk of Salmonella without changing the nutrition or flavor. As a matter of fact, I not only use these in my eggnog recovery smoothies (recipe below), I use them in all of my favorite egg dishes such as Caesar Salad, and in my Spaghetti n’ Eggs with Tomato Paprika Sauce. Plus, when I’m baking some of my favorite holiday treats, they make licking the spoon A-okay. How is that for peace of mind?!!

I first started using SafeEggs because they are pasteurized, which is an all-natural, gentle warm bath pasteurization process. But I also love them because they have a farm fresh taste, and come from chickens that are raised hormone free, antibiotic free and are vegetarian fed. It should NOT surprise you that they have earned the Seal of Approval for exceptional flavor and culinary performance from the nation’s largest organization of professional chefs, the American Culinary Federation (ACF). By now your probably asking, where can I buy SafeEggs? Click here for astore locator.

Start a new tradition using SafeEggs in a smoothie for recovery, in your holiday baking and in all of your favorite egg dishes all year long. Take the first step by joining the Facebook event, Dozen Days of Nog, from Dec 13-24. Connect with myself and other foodies to share tips , advice, ask questions, find more recipes and even contribute your own. Because peace of mind in always in season.

EggNog Recovery Smoothie (#SafeNog); serves 2

by Diane Boyd

Ingredients

2 Medjool dates

2 whole Safest Choice Pasteurized Egg, separated

1 cup 2% milk

1 cup low fat Greek yogurt

1/8 teaspoon of good quality salt such as Himalayan salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

4-6 ice cubes

Instructions

1. Place dates into a small bowl and cover with water for about 10 minutes to soften. Once soft, slice dates in half lengthwise and remove pits. Chop coarsely.

2. Add dates along with egg yolks, milk, Greek yogurt, salt, cinnamon, and ice to a blender and process until smooth. This is the eggnog base.